Steve Sweeney

Underneath themes of unity and hope, last night's speeches touched on the challenges the Democratic presidential nominee will face going forward.

Governor Chris Christie has proposed a new budget. New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney explains why he supports a constitutional amendment on pension funds that Christie rejected.

Steve Sweeney, New Jersey Senate President, talks about the Governor Christie's decision to balance this year's budget by foregoing pension contributions, which he'd promised to make as late as this January. Christie claims that revenue shortfalls led to the lack of funds for pensions, and rejected a Democratic budget that would have increased taxes on the wealthy and businesses. Plus: why Sweeney wants more casinos in Northern New Jersey, and other news from the Garden State.

New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney is calling for a 'Sandy Bill of Rights' to bring transparency to recovery and aid programs. He discusses his recently-introduced legislation as well as his 'Bill of Rights' tour stopping in some of the hardest hit areas in New Jersey.

New Jersey State Senate President Steve Sweeney takes us through New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's State of the State address, and discusses what's ahead for New Jersey in the coming year.

Steve Sweeney, New Jersey Senate President, discusses his proposed legislation about requiring free public access to beaches in any community that receives post Sandy government aid.

Steve Sweeney, New Jersey's Democratic Senate President, discusses the NJ budget, higher education in the state, and decisions about Medicaid and health exchanges that the state will have to make following the Supreme Court's ruling on health care. Then Bob Hennelly, WNYC's contributing editor for politics and investigations, puts it all into context.   

Yesterday Governor Christie announced severe budget cutbacks he says are needed to avoid "financial disaster." New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney, (D-3rd), discusses what the freeze to school aid, cuts to New Jersey transit, and other measures mean for the Garden State's residents.